May 23,2012 Rome 1

Yesterday we made it to Rome where we are staying at Happy Camping.It's aways to catch the train into Rome so they provide a shuttle to the train station and pick you back up in the evening.They have 3 different times so it makes it easy to go and come back.Our first of the day was National Museum of Rome.This museum houses the largest collection of ancient art anywhere.There are lots of marble statues of Caesar,Augustus,Socrates etc.They have a copy of the Greek discus thrower,The boxer.There are a lot of frescos and mosaics that once decorated the Roman Villas.Next stop was the Borghese Gallery,this fancy museum offers one of Europe's great art experience.There's a staue of Apollo chasinf Daphneand also paintings by well known artists.You need a reservation to go to the Gallery but we were able to go right in.While in Rome they sell a Roma Pass for 30 euro that includes all transportation and 2 of the major sights for 3 days.We went to a couple of churches and that took care of 1 day.

May 21,2012 Amalfi coast

Today we took the train to Sorrento and got on the bus to go to Amalfi and Positano.The bus ride is like a thrill ride.The road is very narrow and windy and the when you get to a bend in the road they beep there horns.The buses pass each other with inches to spare.You do get to see some beautiful scenery along mountains down to the water.Once we got to Positano we walked all the way down to the town.It was a very steep walk.The town sits on a hiilside and is quite charming.After roaming the town we were going to get back on the bus and go to Amalfi.This area is very popular with tourist and we tried to get the bus up to the next town but it was completly filled. We ended going across the street and taking  the other bus back to Sorrento.We wish we could of made to Amalfi but maybe another time.Tomorrow we will head to Rome.

May 20,2012 Pompeii Day 2

Today we went to Pompeii.It is located right across from the campground which is conveient.Pompeii was once a thriving port and was a roman city.That was until Mt. Vesuvius erupted and buried the city under 30 feet of hot volcanic ash.That happened on August 24 a.d. 79.A long time ago.It was accidentally discovered in 1599 and they didn't start excavating until 1748.This place is enornous and you can spend most of the day there.

May 19th 2012 Pompeii

We are in Pompeii at Camping Spartucus and plan on staying here several days.We want to go to the Isle of Capri,see Mt.Vesuvius,Pompeii and see the Amfali coast.So much to do and see here.On our first day we decided to go to the Isle of Capri.We didn't know if we would see the Blue Grotto or not.We caught the jet boat over(only one running)to the tune of 60 euros for a 20 minute ride.Once we got there we decided to take the chairlift up the mountain to view the city and it was wonderful.There were so many people waiting for buses to get to Capri and Anacapri it took us about a hour waiting.We only went up to Anacapri as trying to get the bus back down was taking about another hour waiting in line.Then when the bus came it was so jammed there was no room.People everywhere.We didn't go to the Blue Grotto.I hear it's overrated.I think it would of been more enjoyable if it wasn't so crowded.I'm only going to post this one at a time so maybe I can get more photos

May 18,2012 Paestum

We wanted to come to Paestum since it has the best Greek Temples anywhere.This town was founded by the Greeks in the 6th century B.C. and was a key stop on a trade route.Later in the 3rd century the Romans took over and called it Paestum.After beeing deserted for a 1000 years from Malaria it was rediscovered in the 1800's.The Temples of Neptune and Hera date back to 450 and 550B.C. The temple of Hera is one of the oldest standing anywhere.You can see the Temple of Ceres as well. We also visited the museum where there were artifacts dating from the Greeks to the Romans all found at this sight.Temple of Neptune the largest

Temple of Hera

Temple of Ceres

May 16,2012 Assisi

Oh how we loved Assisi.Assisi is in the area called Umbria.Beautiful green hills and valleys.Assisi sits on the top of a hillside and it looks aRoman town.Very impressive.We drove up the mountainside to a campground and it was just a short walk into town.The streets were very narrow and quaint.You can't park anywhere in the town and but they do have a few parking areas you can park in outside the walls.It started to pour and we stopped in to have a hot chocalate and cappachino.Oh this was the best hot chocolate I ever tasted. It was thick and tasted like pure chocolate.Mmm good.We visited the Basilica of St. Francis named for St. Francis and some of the other churches.This is a must see town in Italy.

May 14,2012 Ravenna

We are now in Ravenna home to 1500 year old churches and their mosaics.Their mosaics date back to c.a.d.400-600.Basilica di San Vitale is beautiful with all it's mosaics.I'll show you some of the photos.We have been having trouble finding propane as every country has different bottles.We started in the Netherlands with a full bottle and had a German bottle partially filled.After we ran out we couldn't find any places to get them refilled.No one would take any of the bottles we had and they wouldn't refill either.Finally in Italy we bought another bottle.Now we have 3 and one of the big bottles from Germany is under the back table. By the way won't take the used bottles back to refill if it isn't the kind they have. Bummer.We may have propane bottles from different countries haning off the rv as we go down the road. What a life we're living.Next stop Assisi.